Broaching machine



March 1940- M. ROMAINE El AL BROACHING MACHINE Filed May 14, 193"! 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 N$NUNH INVENTOR. mmw/PaW/ BY M/m/w 7km ATTORNEY.

Ma 1940- M. ROMAINE ET AL BROACHING MACHINE Filed May 14, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Q 3 Na WM R. 5 E 0 M? Z ATTORNEY.

March 1940- M. ROMAlNE ET AL BROACHING MACHINE Filed May 14, 193'? 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 759 INVENTOR.

Wham/w flaw/y: BY M/YZV/HQP 7M2:

ATTORNEY.

March 25, 1940- M. ROMAINE ET AL BROACHING MACHINE Filed May 14, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 March 1940- M. ROMAINE El AL BROACHING MACHINE Filed May 14, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 'G INVENTOR Q /7/zz,4/P0/Pa/-14// f MA /m 7/5/51: 547

ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 26,1940

UNITED STATES BBOAGHIN G MACHINE A of Ohio 2 Application May 14,1937, Serial no. 142,616

24 Claim.

This invention relates to broaching machines and more particularly to an improved form of vertical broach, especially adapted for broaching large work pieces to precision length.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a broaching machinewhich is especially suitable for broaching large heavy work pieces and in such a manner that the operator does not have to handle the work.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine of the character described in which the work is automatically loaded, machined and ejected from the machine without attention on the part of the operator.

Another object of this invention is to3 rovlde a hydraulically operated broaching machine having electrically operated work transferring mechanism with suitable interlocks between the two operating mechanisms so that the machine may be safely operated by unskilled labor.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine for broaching cylinder blocks which is adapted to receive the blocks in the ordinary position in which they are moved on the conveyor so that the operator does not have to lift or turn the work in order to load the machine, and which has power operated means for ejecting the finished work pieces from the machine onto a second conveyor without any attention on the part of the operator.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a broaching machine for simultaneously broaching opposite ends of a work piece and which is vertically arranged so that a minimum amount of floor space is utilized for supporting the machine.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention should be readily apparent by reference to the following specification, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and it is to be understood that any modifications may be made in the exact structural details there shown and described, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from or exceeding the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like or similar parts:

Figure l is a front elevation of a machine tool embodying principles ofthis invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the machine shown in Figure 1 as viewed from the right side of that figure.

Figure 3 is a vertical section through thework PATENT OFFlCE holder of the machine as viewed on the line 8-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a plan view in section as viewed theline 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view the line 5-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a sectional view as taken on the line 6-6 of Figure4. g t

Figure '7 is a cross sectional view through the automatic reclosing relief valve of the'hydraulic 1 circuit.

Figure 8 is a detail view showing the chip receiving'trough and the connection of the exhaust system thereto.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical control circuit of the machine.

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic control circuit of the machine showing the control connections therefrom to the electrical control circuit shown in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view showing the position of fixed dogs for operating one of the limit switches.

Figure 12 is a detail view showing the manner of mounting the broaching tools.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings the reference numerals II and II indicate two vertical columns which are supported on a base member I2 and connected together at the top by a cap member l3. The opposing faces I 4 and i5 of the columns l0 and II respectively are provided with guide surfaces l6, l1, l8 and I9, as more particularly shown in Figure 4. A work carrying elevator 20 is guided by these surfaces for vertical movement past a series of breaching tools 2| and 22 supported on the opposing faces of the columns I0 and II respectively.

As shown in Figure 1 this elevator is actuated by a piston 23 contained in a cylinder 2| and connected to the elevator by a piston rod 25. Rew ferring to Figure 10, one end of the cylinder 24 is connected by a channel 26 through a throttle valve 21 to port 28 of the reversing valve 29. The other end of the cylinder is connected by channel 30 to port 3| of the reversing valve. The valve 29 has a pressure port 32 which is connected by channel means 33 to a pair of pumps 34. These pumps have intakes 35 through which fluid is withdrawn from a reservoir 36. The valve plunger 31 has three positions, that is, a central or stop position which is the one in which it is shownin Figure 10; a feed position when it is shifted to the left which causes upward movement of the work elevator; and a rapid traverse position when it is Shifted to the right of the position shown in u astakenon 1 movement.

The valve plunger is shifted by hydraulic pressure which is admitted to space 42 formed on opposite ends of valve housing and when pressure is admitted to both of thesespaces the piston members 39 move toward one another to the limit of their movement as defined by the shoulders 4| whereby the valve plunger 31 is positioned in its central or neutral position whereby it closes the pressure port 32. When one of the spaces 42'is supplied with pressure and the other connected to reservoir, the hydraulic pressure acting on the end of the reduced portion 38 will cause the plunger to move a further amount, carryingwith it the other opposing piston member 39, which is now possible because no hydraulic pressure is acting upon it. a

The spaces 42 are connected by channels 43 and 44 to ports 45 and 46 respectively of a pilot valve 41. This pilot valve 41 has a pressure port 48 which is supplied from a separate pump 49 through delivery channel 56. This pump has an intake through which fluid is withdrawn from reservoir 36. The valve plunger 52 of the pilot valve has a central annular groove 53 which is of sufficient length that when the plunger 52 isin its central position, it will interconnect the pressure port 48 with both of ports 45 and 46 which will thereby cause delivery of fluid pressure to both of the spaces 42 and thereby centralize the control valve plunger 31. The pilot valve also has a pair of exhaust ports 54 and 55 which are connected by channel 56 to reservoir. When the plunger 52 is shifted to the left, the annular groove 53 will connect pressure port 48 to port 45 and simultaneously interconnect pressure port 46 to the exhaust port 55 whereby the plunger 31 will be shifted to the right, as viewed in Figure and when the pilot valve is shifted to the right, pressure port 48 will be connected to pressure port 46 and port 45 will be connected to the exhaust port 54 whereby the control plunger 31 will be shifted to the left.

The pilot valve plunger 52 is operatively connected as by a pivoted lever 51 to a shifter rod 58. The shifter rod has a pair of fixed abutments 59 engaging opposite sides of the lever whereby movement of the shifter rod in one direction or the other will cause shifting of the pilot valve 52 in one direction or the other from its central position. The opposite ends of the shifter rod are slidably mounted in electrical solenoids 66 and 6| and constitute armatures, whereby energization of either solenoid will cause shifting of the pilot valve plunger in one direction or the other. When both solenoids are deenergized, springs 62 arranged between fixed abutments 63 on the solenoids and collars 64 carried by the shifter rod 58 cause the shifter 58 to return to a central position, and thereby centralize the pilot valve. In other words, these springs constitute resilient means for shifting the pilot valve to a stop position, automatically, when both solenoids are deenergized. One end of each of these solenoids is connected by a common electrical line 65 to one of the power mains 66 of a three-phase system.

The other end of solenoid 66 is connected b line 61 to contact 68 of the pilot valve control switch 69. The other end of solenoid 8| is connected by line I6 to contact 'II of switch 69. This last-named switch is provided with power line I2 which is directly connected to another power main 2I5 of the three-phase system. The line 12 terminates in contacts I3 and I4 whereby when the contact I3 is connected to the contact 68 by the switch member I5, the solenoid- 66 will be energized and when the contact 14 is connected to the contact 'II by the switch member I6 then the solenoid 6| is energized.

To prevent excessive pressures in the hydraulic system an automatic resetting relief valve II has been provided, which is shown in detail in Figure 7. This valve has a pressure port I8 which is connected by branch line I9 to the pump mp ply line 33. It also has an exhaust port 86 which is connected by channel 8| to reservoir. The valve is provided with a main plunger 82 which has an annular groove of suflicient length that when moved down from the position in which it is shown in Figure 7 it will interconnect port I8 with port 86 without appreciable throttling of the flow. This plunger is held in the position shown by a positive locking member 84 which engages a notch 85 cut in the side of the plunger.

The pressureport I8 is connected by a branch line 86 to port 81. This port is normally closed by the conical shaped end 88 of a plunger 69 which is normally urged into the position shown by a spring 96. The tension of this spring may be adjusted by set screw 9| which engages the end of the spring 96. It is the tension of this spring which determines the pressure point at which this valve will open. In other words, when this is opened, the pressure from line 86 is admitted to channel 92 which,- as shown in Figure 10, is connected to cylinder 93 which contains the piston 94 integrally connected to the end of the locking member 84 causing withdrawal thereof. The upper end of plunger 82 engages the end of a fluid actuated pin 95 which hasan enlarged head 96 movable in chamber 91. This chamber is connected by channel 98 to the pressure port 16 -so that upon withdrawal of the locking pin 84 the plunger 82 will be moved downward until the head 96 abuts the wall 99. This downward movement will compress spring I66 which surrounds the reduced end of the plunger, which will act to return the plunger to its normal position upon reduction of pressure in the supply line below the predetermined limit. When this happens the port 81 will be closedand the fluid in channel 92 will drain to reservoir through the resistance IN. This will relieve the pressure in cylinder 93 and permit the locking pin 84 to return to a locking position.

When the main control valve 31 is in its stop position the pumps 34 are directly connected to pressure by means of a branch line I62 leading from the main supply line 33 to port I63, which is interconnected by annular groove I 64 formed in the plunger 31 to exhaust port I65. When the plunger 31 is shifted to the left to a feed position, the port 32 is connected to the port 28, whereby the fluid pressure will flow through the throttle valve 21 to lower end of cylinder 24; and the upper end of the cylinder will be connected through port 3|, annular groove I 66 of plunger When the valve plunger 31 is shifted to the right, pressure port 321s connected to port 3| and thereby to the upper end of cylinder 24; and the returning fluid will pass through the throttle valve 21 which thereby prevents the downward movement from becoming too .fast which might cause damage to theparts. In spite of this, the downward movement is at a fast rate and it is necessary to provide additional means which produce a dashpot effect to quickly slow down the ram movement and bring the same to a stop. This means comprises a, decelerator valve IIO which has a pair of ports III and H2 which are connected by branch lines to channel 26. This valve also has a port I I3 which is connected by branch line II4 to channel 30, leading from the upper end of cylinder 24. An additional port II5 formed in the valve is connected by line II6 to return line I09. The valve plunger 1 of this valve is normally held in the position shown by a spring II 8 which surrounds the reduced end II9 of the plunger. The spring I I8 is interposed between an abutment I formed on the end of the valveplunger and a wall I2I formed in the valve housing.

The valve plunger is shifted to the left by means of an electrical solenoid I22 which has an armature I23 connected to the end of the plunger I I1. When this solenoid is energized, the plunger I I1 is shifted to the left, thereby interconnecting port III with H3 and port II2 with port II5.

The result is that the upper and lower end of cylinder 24 are interconnected and both ends are simultaneously connected to reservoir. Since the lower end of piston 23is larger in area than the upper side thereof, it will be apparent that'a resultant component acting in a direction against the direction of movement will be provided to act as a decelerating means slowing down and stopping the movement of the ram.

Work transfer mechanism As shown in Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6, the elevator 20 is provided with a first pair of fixed rails I22 and I23 upon which the work is received from the work supplying conveyor I24 positioned at one end of the machine, as more particularly shown in Figure 2. The work is moved by power along these guide rails and onto a second set of rails I25 and I26 which are vertically movable. These last-named rails serve to lower the work into the work receiving fixture where it is clamped for the broaching operation.

After the broaching operation, the rails I25 and I26 elevate the work out of the fixture for transfer onto a third set of rails I 21 and I28 which are fixed with the elevator and have their top surfaces in the same plane as the top surfaces of the other rails. The work is moved along this last set of rails to the outgoing conveyor I29 which is located at the side of the machine opposite to the incoming conveyor I24.

It will thus be seen that the elevator is pro vided with a pair of guide rails extending the full length thereof and having an intermediate por-- tion which is vertically movable for moving work into and out of a work clamping fixture.

The power operable means for moving the work along these guide rails consists of a reciprocab'e slide I 30 which has rack teeth I3I formed on the underside thereof intermeshing with a gear I32. Three sets of work pushing means are attached to the upper side of the slide I30 and each set comprises, as shown in Figure 5, a cross block I33 having pivotally mounted at opposite ends a pair of work pushing fingers such as I34, I34 and I34". A leaf spring I35 is interposed between the underside of each finger and its supporting block I33 for normally urging the finger upward above the plane of the fixed rails for work engaging purposes.

This slide starts from the right and moves toward the left. When in its starting position, the finger I34 is in its dash and pot position, indicated by the reference numeral I36. While the parts are at rest in this position, a work piece is pushed onto the elevator by the operator until the fingers I34 in the position indicated by said dash and dot lines at I36 snap into engagement with a surface I31 of a work piece I33. During a cycle of operation, the fingers I36 move the work piece to the left onto the movable rails and then return to their starting position. During this return, the fingers I34 pass under the work and snap into position for engagement with the work surface I onthe next cycle.

Upon the next reciprocation of the'slide I30 the work is moved to the position indicated by the reference numeral HI and during the last part of the cycle, the fingers I34" pass under the work and into position to engage the surface I40 ofthe work preparatory to moving it onto the outgoing conveyor I29.

The one-cycle mechanism for reciprocating the slide I30 comprises an electric motor I42 which is supported by the elevator, as shown in Figure 4, and has a bevel gear I43 secured to the end of its armature shaft in mesh with a double gear I44. This gear is secured to the end of a shaft I45 for driving a worm I46 which intermeshes with a worm wheel I41. The worm wheel I41 is rotatably mounted on the elevator, as shown in Figure 3, and connected by a link I48 for reciprocating a rack bar I49. The rack bar I49, as shown in Figure 5, intermeshes with a pinion I integral with a shaft I5I to which the gear I32 is secured. Since the link .I48 is eccentrically connected to the worm wheel I41 it will be apparent that during one revolution of the worm wheel I41, the rack I49 will execute one reciprocation and thereby, through the interconnecting gearings I50 and I32 will cause one reciprocation of the slide I30. 0

After the work has been positioned on the movable rails I25 and I26, resiliently operable means are provided for lowering the work into the fixture and then clamping the same; and positively operated means for unclamping the work and raising the same out of the fixture. The operation of the mechanism will be better understood if the last-named means is described first. In other words, as the elevator returns downward to the position in which it is shown in the drawings, a control dog I52 which is fixed on theside of the column II and in the path of the end of a plunger I53 shifts the plunger I53 against the compression of spring I54 and thereby, through means of cams I55 and I56 formed on the plunger axially shifts a pair of right angularly arranged plungers I51 and I58. As shown in Figure 6, the plunger I51 rotates a bell crank I59 and thereby draws downward a clamp actuating member I60 against the compression of springs I6I and I62.

As shown in Figure 5, the member I60 has a lug I63 projecting from the side thereof which enand has a clamping finger I86 adapted to engage an inside surface I81 formed on the work. The plunger I58 operates a similar mechanism to withdraw a similar clamping member out of engagement with the work.

After the two clamping members have been withdrawn, a second dog I68, also carried by the column, and positioned in the path of the two of these rack plungers for each rail so that the same will be moved upward and downward without tilting. As the elevator moves upward on its cutting stroke, the plunger I69, which was the last to be operated on the downward stroke, will clear its dog I68 first and a spring I16 will cause outward movement of the plunger and thereby reverse the rotation of shafts I12 and I13, which will thereby lower the rails I25 and I26 and move the work down into the fixture. As soon as this is accomplished, the plunger I53 will have passed out of engagement with its operating dog I52 and the spring I54 will shift the plunger in such a direction as to withdraw the cam surfaces I55 and I56 out of engagement with plungers I51 and I58. This will permit the springs I6I and I62, shown in Figure 6, to elevate the clamp actuating members I68 whereby a cam surface I11 formed on the ends of these members will rotate the clamping members I64 in a counterclockwise direction and into engagement with the surface I61 formed on the work.

Additional means have been provided for automatically clamping the work, consisting of a pair of clamping plungers I18 which are shown in detail in Figures 3 and 5. Each plunger has a pivoted shoe I19 located in the bottom thereof for engaging the top surface of the work and automatically aligning itself therewith. This shoe is held in position by a spring I88 which is connected to the lower end of an actuating rod I8I which passes through the center of the plunger. This rod has an enlarged head I82 forming a shoulder-which engages one end of a spring I83 contained in the bore I84. A nut I85 threaded on the end of the rod I82 serves to put a certain amount of compression on the spring I83, so that the plunger is normally constrained to move with the rod I8I. Upon contact with the work, however, the head I8I may move down relative to the plunger I 18 so as to apply a clamping pressure and at the same time provide a sort of yielding connection between the parts so that movement of the rod I8I may be the same, regardless of slight variations in the thickness of the work.

The rod I8I is connected by a toggle joint I86 and link I81 to an operating arm I88. This arm is pivoted at I89 in the elevator and has a second arm I98 connected therewith and which carries a roller I9I on the end thereof. During upward movement of the elevator the roller passes between a pair of cam members I9I and I92 which are attached to the column II and form a cam track I93 which rotates the lever arm I88 in a counterclockwise direction so as to actuate the toggle and move the clamping plunger I18 downward. A set screw I94 is posiamaoea tloned to engage the arm I88, but rlght'after the toggle has passed through the center position.

when the elevator reaches the top of its stroke another cam plate I96 is positioned on a column for rotating the lever I88 in a clockwise direction tothereby release the top clamps.

The manner of securing and adjusting the broaching tools on the two columns is more particularly shown in Figures 4 and 12. The individual blades I96 are suitably secured in a series of blocks or units I91, each unit holding a plurality of blades. These blocks are then fastened to the side of the column as by clamping screws I98 which pass through elongated slots formed in the blocks. These blocks, as

shown in Figure 4, have angularly arranged rearfaces so that by adjusting the block laterally, the teeth may be moved toward and from the work piece to vary the depth of cut. is effected by a series of adjusting screws I99 which are threaded into the side of the blocks and the heads of these screws engage the solid part 7 of the column. It will now be apparent that by loosening the clamping nuts 288 which are threaded on these screws and by rotating the screws in one side of the block in one direction and those in the other side of the block in the other direction, the block will be forced laterally in one direction or the other, and thereby due to the angular surfaces the breaching tools themselves will be forced toward or from the work. The clamping bolts I 98 may be tightened then to secure the blocks firmly against the column. As a matter of fact, a gage is provided in the toolroom which simulates the condition in the machine whereby the adjusting screws I99 are preset in the required positions so that upon assembly the heads will touch on opposite sides without lost motion and thereby automatically position the block so that the assembler only has to tighten the clamping bolts.

Electrical control circuit Although the elevator is hydraulically actuated, an electrical control circuit has been provided for governing the cycle of operation of the machine. A diagram of this electrical control circuit is shown in Figures 9 and 10, and by placing these figures in end to end relation, it will be apparent that the lines which break at the end of Figure 9 may be picked up again on Figure 10.

Separate electric motors have been provided for driving the pumps 34 and 49 and these are indicated in Figure 9 by the reference numerals 28I, 282 and 283 respectively. In addition,two more motors 284 and 285 are connected into the electrical circuit and utilized for driving the fans in the two chip removing systems. The motors 284, 285, 28I, 282 and 283 each have three wires which terminate in three contacts in the respective switches 286, 281, 288,289, and 2I8. Each switch has three contacts-2H, 2I2 and 2I3, which are connected respectively to the power lines 2I4, 66 and 2I5 respectively. Each of these switches also has an operating solenoid 2I8 which has one terminal connected to line 2" which is abranch of the power main 66. The operating solenoid of switch 2I8 is-cnnected by line 2I8 to contact 2I9- of a manually operable switch 228. The other contact 22I of this switch is connected through the stop switch 222, which is normally closed, to line 223. This line, it will be noted from Figure 10, goes to a control switch 224 which is associated with the re- This adjustment switch 221, he connects the power main 215 to one end of solenoid 216 and thereby closes the circuit to power main 66, whereby the switch member 226 will be moved to a closed position and connect the three leads from pump motor 203 to the power mains. Since the switch 220 is of the push button type with spring return, it will be apparent that as soon as the operator releases the switch it will reopen the connection between contacts 219 and 221. Therefore, a holding circuit has been provided, including a set of contacts 221 and 226 which are connected in parallel with the contacts 219 and';221 so as to maintain the circuit through the operating solenoid 216. 1

When pump 203 develops sufllcient pressure in the system it will close a hydraulically operated switch 229 and thereby connect line 223, which is now a power line, to line 230, which is'connected in parallel to the operating solenoids of the remaining pump switches 206, 201, 206and 209, thereby causing these switches to close and the connected motors to operate. As an indication to the operator that these circuits have been properly closed, a light 231 is connected across the motor 263, whereby the same will be illumi-- nated when power is properly connected to the motors.

With all of the motors of the machine properly running, the operator pushes a work piece from the incoming conveyor 124 onto the elevator and then depresses the Autocycle push button 232. This connects contact 233 which is a terminal of the power line 223 to contact 234 which is connected by line 235 to one starter coil 236 of a reversible control switch 231 for the work transfer motor 142. The other terminal of this coil is connected through line 231, switch 238, line 239, switch 246, line 241, switch 242, line 243, switch 244, line 245, switch 246 to line 241 which is a branch of the power main 214. The switches 236, 241i, 242, 244 and 246 are all normally closed when the machine is started. Since the connection between the contacts 233 and 234 will be broken when the push'button 232 is released, a holding circuit for coil 236 has been provided and comprises contacts 246 and 249 which will be closed upon closing of switch 231, thereby connecting the end of solenoid 236 directly through branch line 250 to the power line 223. The switch 231 has a pair of power contacts 250 and 251' which are permanently connected to the power mains 66 and 215, and when the solenoid 236 is energized these contacts are electrically connected to contacts 252 and 253 which have lines 254 and 255 extending therefrom to the work transfer motor 142. In addition, a third line 256, which is directly connected to the power main 214, extends to the terminal 251 of the motor 142.

The control switch 231 has a second pair of power contacts 256 and 259 which are connected to power mains 215 and 66 which, it will be noted, is the opposite means to which contacts 251 and 250 are connected, so that upon actuation of the starter solenoid 260 the line 255 will be connected to the power main 66 instead of to the nected to the power main 216 instead of to the power main 66. Since the motor 142 is a threephase motor with a constant return line 266, it will be apparent that by reversing the connections to lines 255 and 266 that the motor 142 maybe reversed.

Normally, during the operation of the machine, the motor 142 only rotates in one direction and thestarter coil 236 starts and stops the motor. As viewed in Figures 4 and 10, the direction of rotation of the motor is such that ,the worm wheel 141 rotates in a clockwise direction. During one rotation, the worm wheel actuates three switches 261, 262 and 263.

Whenthe elevator is down and the worm gear 141 is rotated in a clockwise direction, as previously mentioned, a l-ug 264, shown in Figure 4 and carried by the-link 146, operates switch 261,-

but since'no effect is produced at this time, a description of the function of this switch will be deferred, Near the completion of rotation of gear 141, the pointed end 265 of line 146 acnoted thatthisswitch is normally-open and that upon actuation thereof the power line 256 is I connected to line 266 which is connected tuates switch 262. From Figure 10, it will be through switch26'1 of relay 268 to the relay coil 269 of relay 210. The circuit from the other end of this coil is completed through line 211, switch 212 and line 213 to the power line 225, which isa branch of the power main 215. Energization of the relay coil 269 will break sw tches 240 and 214 and close switches 215 and 216. The opening of switch 214 produces no effect at this time, but the opening of switch 240 would normally break the holding circuit through the relay coil 236 of the control switch for motor 142 but this circuit is still maintained due to a branch connection 211 from line 239, which line extends to contact 218 of \switch 263 which is normally closed and which has its other contact connected to the power line 256, which, as previously described, is a branch from the power main 214. Ciosing of switch 216 of relay 210 establishes a holding circuit for the relay coil 269 after the end of the link 265 releases switch 262. In other words, current from the power main 214 flows through line 241, switch 219 and line 280 to contact 281' which is connected by switch 216 to contact 282, line 283 to contact 264 of switch 265. This switch is normally closed, whereby the current continues to flow through line 266 to line 266, which, as previously described, is connected to the relay coil'269. Closing of switch 215 connects the power line 261, which is a branch of the power main 215, to line 288 which leads to the relay coil 289, the other end of relay coil being connected to the power line 211. Energization of this coil will close switch 16, and thereby, as previously described, energize the solenoid 61 of the pilot valve actuating mechanism of the hydraulic circuit, causing shifting of the pilot valve plunger 52 to the left, which will thereby cause hydraulic shifting of the main control valve 29 into a feeding position whereby the elevator will start its upward movement.

After momentarily closing switch 262, the worm wheel 141 will rotate a little further and cause opening of switch 263, which, as previously described, was acting to maintain the holding circuit of starter coil 36. When switch 263 opens thestarter coil 236 it will become de-enersized and the switch will'open and thereby stop rotation of the transfer motor 142.

A work piece has now been moved into the work holder and the ram has started its upward movement whereby the mechanism shown in Figure 4 for seating and clamping the work will become eflective. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a pair of telltale switches 296 and 29I, which switches are closed by "the work when the same is properly seated in the fixture, are provided. As shown in Figure 10, these switches are-con,-

' nected in series with one another and in parallel controls the actuation of the pilot valve and the pilot valve would shift to a neutral position and stop the upward movement of the ram At the beginning of the upward movement of theram another dog 293 passes out of engagement with a switch plunger 294, causing the same to shift toward the right, as viewed in Figure 10, and close a circuit from line 296 which runs from switch 296 of relay 291 to line 293 which is, in turn, connected through safety switch 299 to line 366 which terminates in the operating solenoid 36 I' for the relay 15 which controls shifting of the pilot valve to a position causing downward movement of the ram. Since the switch 236 is open, nothing will happen as a result of the shifting of switch 294, but it will be noted that the circuit is continued so that upon energization of the relay coil 362 downward, movement of the ram may be efiected.

The safety switch 299 is held in a closed position by a safety hook 363, which is 'norinally held out of position by a solenoid 364 which is connected by a pair of lines 365 and 366 to switch 361 which has an operating solenoid 363. One end of this solenoid is permanently connected to the power line 2H and the other end is connected to the power line 223 upon closing of the hydraulically actuated switch 229 when the machine was started. In other words, as soon as the pumps of themachine are actuated, and a suflicient pressure has been built up to cause operation of the hydraulic ram or elevator, the safety hook 363 is withdrawn from the path of the elevator, but should there be a failure in the circuit for some unknown reason, or should the elevator-be left in its top position when the pumps are shut down, the hook will be in a position to engage a lug on the elevator and prevent the same from dropping and causing damage to the machine. v Shifting of switch 234 also disconnected line 295 from line 369 which leads to the operating solenoid 3| 6 of switch 3I I. This switch controls a pair of lines 3I2 and 3I3 which control operation. of solenoid I22 of the decelerator valve II6.

During upward movement of the ram, another dog 3I5 passes out of engagement with a switch 3I6 which is permitted to close and thereby connect branch power line 3" to line 3I3 which extends to relay coil 362 of the relay switch 291. The return line 3I9 from this coil is connected through switch 326 to line 32I which terminates, as shown in Figure 10, in a bus bar 322. The closing of switch -3I'6 conditions the circuit for operation of the relay coil 362 when the elevator has reached the upper end of its stroke. It will be noted from Figure 10 that the electrical circuit in the elevator is connected through a series of sliding contacts with the electrical circuit in the stationary part of the machine'and the bus bars of these sliding connections are suitably positioned on the side oi the column for elevator 26 and the vertical wall of the columns,

and means have been provided for collecting and removing these chips in an eflicient manner so as not to interfere with the operation of the machine. In other words, a chip receiving hopper 323 has been provided at the bottom of the machine and longitudinally of the face of each column, and to insure that the chips are directed into this hopper a )1181' curtain 324 is'mounted on the underside 01 the elevator with the end of the curtain attached to one side of the hopper. It will be apparent that as the elevator moves upward a curtain will unroll and provide a narrow vertical passage through which chips will be guided into the trough below. The bottom of the hopper has a narrow longitudinal opening 325 which serves as a connection to an exhaust pipe 326 through which chips are drawn by a suction fan operated by one of the motors 264--265 mounted in the receiver 321 to which the pipe 326 is connected. It will be noted from Figure. 1 that there is a receiver mounted adjacent the rear of each column. There has thus been provided automatic suction means for removing chips from the machine. After the broaching operation has been completed, trip dogs, similar to I66 and I 52 shown in Figure 4, will positively actuate the plungers I53 and I69 to unclampand raise the work out of the fixtures, and at the same time another dog will operate the lever I96 and release the toggle operated clamps on the top of the work, permitting the same to be raised out of the fixture. These operations are immediately followed by the tripping of limit switch lever 326 by dog 293, thereby interconnecting line 329 which is connected to the power main 2I5 by switches 214, 336 and 33I to line 332 which leads to the starter coil 236 of the transfer motor control switch. The other end of this coil is connected, as before, through line 231 to the branch 241 of power main 2| 4, thus com leting the circuit and energizing the coil. This will start rotation of the transfer motor. It will be noted that the tripping of the limit switch 328 broke the connection between lines 21I and 213 which thereby opened the holding circuit of relay coil 269 of switch 216, thereby causing the switches 215 and 216 to open and the switches 214 and 246 to close. The opening of switch 215 broke the holding circuit to relay coil 289, thereby opening switch 216 and de-energizing solenoid 6i, which thereby permitted the spring 62 to centralize the position indicated by the reference numeral During the first half of the clockwise movement of worm wheel I41, the work is moved, and during the other half of a revolution the work pushers are being returned. In order to insure that the work has been removed from the work holding fixture and out of the path of the broachlng tools, a safety switch 333 has been provided on the work elevator, and in such a position that the same will be closed when the Work reaches the position indicated by the reference numeral MI in Figure 3.- During the last half revolution of the worm wheel I 41 the lug 264 will momentarily close the switch 26I, which is connected in parallel with the switch 333. With both of these switches closed, a circuit is completed from line 256, which is a power line, to line 334, which at this time terminates in a shoe 335 riding on the bus bar 322. The line 32I, connected to this bus bar, goes to relay coil 392 which thereby operates the relay switch 291, the return crcuit being completed through line 3I8, switch 3|, and line 3" to the power line 225.

When the relay switch 291 is operated it will open switches 330 and 242 and close switches 296 and 336. The closing of switch 336 establishes a holding circuit for relay coil 302 by connecting the power line 280 to the line 331, which is a branch of line 32I leading to the coil. Therefore, when the ram moves downward, and the shoe 335 passes out of contact with the busbar 322, the relay coil 392 will still remain energized.

Closing of switch'296 will connect the power line 339 to line 295 whereby the current will flow through the switch 294, line 298, safety switch 299 and line 399 to energize the relay coil 3M and close switch 15. This will energize the solenoid 66 and shift the pilot valve to its rapid traverse down position, whereby the ram will start its downward movement.

The opening of switches 330 and 242 of the relay switch 291 disconnected lines 329 and 239 from power mains 2I5 and 241 and since these lines lead to opposite ends of the starting coil of the transfer motor switch 231, it would ordinarily open, but a holding circuit is still maintained through the normally closed limit switch associated with the worm wheel I41.

In other words, this circuit is now complete through line 231 connected to one end. of coil 236, switch 238, line 211 to contact 218 of .the limit switch which is connected to contact 263 of power line 256. The other end of the coil is connected through closed contacts 248 and 249 to line 250 which is a branch of the power line Continued rotation of the worm wheel I41 will momentarily close the toggle switch 262, but this will be without efiect because of breaks in the circuit to the relay coil 269, and the worm wheel will continue to rotate until it opens the next toggle switch which will break the connection between contacts 263 and 218 and thereby deenergize the starting coil 236 of the transfer motor control switch 231, thereby stopping rotation of the transfer motor.

During downward movement of the elevator, the dog 293 passes out of engagement with the switch 326, permitting the same to be spring returned to the position shown in Figure 10, opening one set of contacts and closing the other without effect. Near the end of the downward stroke. the .dog 293 operates the toggle switch 294, thereby opening the circuit between lines 295 and 296 which will thereby de-energize the I. relay coil 3III of the pilot valve controlled switch,

whereby switch will open and solenoid will be de-energized. This will permit the springs 62 to centralize the pilot'valve and thereby shift the main control valve 31 to a stop position. At the same time the switch 294 will close the circuit between lines 295 and 399, energizing the relay coil 3I0 and closing the circuit to lines 3I2 and 3I3 which will thereby, through solenoid I22, shift the decelerator valv into an operative position, which will stop the ownward movement of the ram without shock In addition, a dog 3I5will open toggle switch 3I6 which will thereby break the holding circuit to relay coil 302, opening switches 336 and 296 and closing switches 336 and 242. This will break the power connection of line 338 to switch coil 3I9 and thereby break the circuit to the decelerator valve operating solenoid I22 whereby the decelerator valve will return to its normal position and thereby condition the hydraulic circuit for the next upward movement of the elevator.

In addition to automatic control of the cycle of operation of a machine as just described, the circuit provides manually operable switches for interrupting the cycle of the transfer mechanism and a manually operable control for governing actuation of the elevator.

Referring to Figure 9, a push button switch 339 is provided which, when depressed, interconnects contacts 340 and 34I whereby the power line 223 is connected to the operating solenoid 342 which, when energized, opens switch 246 and closes a switch 343. If the switch 339 is closed during the operation of the transfer motor, which means that the relay coil 236 of the transfer motor switch is energized, the opening of switch 246 which is in the holding circuit for the solenoid 236 will deenergize the relay coil 236, thereby opening the circuit to the transfer motor. This will cause the transfer motor to stop. But

simultaneously the switch 343 will be closed by solenoid 342, thereby closing the circuit to the transfer motor relay coil 260, thereby closing the reversing switch to the transfer motor, whereby the same will reverse without completing its cycle. This switch serves the emergency, where, for any reason, the work piece should get caught wihile being transferred by the transfer mechan sm.

If the work is manually positioned on the movable rails in proper cutting position and it is desired to execute an automatic cycle without the transfer mechanism first executing its cycle of operation, another push button switch 344 is provided which, when depressed, will connect the power line 2I4 to line 266, causing energization of relay coil 269, thereby closing switch 216 which will operate relay coil 289 and close the switch to the pilot valve solenoid 6|.

For simply causing up and down movement of the hydraulic elevator, as for set-up purposes, a separate manual control lever 345 is provided which is connected to a pair of switches 346 and 341. When the lever is thrown upward, switch 346 connects the power line 2 I4 to line 349 which energizes relay coil 269; and switch 341 connects power line 2 to line 349 and thereby energizes relay coil 268,- which opens all the other circuits and prevents actuation of the transfer motor. As soon as the manual control 345 is thrown back to its central position, the movement of the ram will stop. When' the manual control lever is thrown downward, the switch 346 will connect the power line 2 to line 369 which will thereby energize coil 302 which will thereby close switch 286, which, in turn, will energize relay coil 3M and close switch 15 to a pilot valve operating solenoid 60.

In addition, switch 3" will connect power line 2 to line 349 and energize relay coil 268, which will open the circuits to the other lines and prevent operation of the transfer mechanism.

The condition may occur in which the machine is stopped with the ram at the upper end of its stroke and the work piece in the position on the transfer table indicated by the reference numeral Ill in Figure 3, whereupon if the machine was again started by depressing the auto-cycle push button 232 the transfer mechanism would execute another cycle before the ram started downward, in which case the work would be pushed off of the end of the transfer table and thereby drop and cause considerable damage and possible injury.

To avert such a possibility, the transfer table has been; provided with an additional switch 35!, which, as shown in Figure 10, has one contact connected to the power line 258 and the other contact connected to line 352 which terminates in a shoe 853. When the elevator is at the upper end of the stroke,- this shoe rides on the cross bar 354, thus completing the connections through line 355 to operating solenoid 355 of switch 238. When the circuit is completed by the work closing the switch 35l, the switch 238 will be opened and thereby prevent energization of either of the relays 236 or 260 which control the starting of the transfer motor I42. Thus, the presence of the work on the end of the transfer closes one circuit which permits the ram to be moved downward and closes another circuit which prevents a second cycle of operation of the transfer mechanism while the ram is in its extreme upward position.

There has thus been, provided an improved broaching machine which will broach large work pieces to precision length and which has a complete automatic cycle of operation, and in which the improved control mechanism has a number of safety interlocks rendering the machine safe for operation in the hands of a novice.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination with a shiftable work holder for a broaching machine, and means located centrally of said work holder for securing a work piece therein, of a transfer mechanism supported by said work holder including reciprocable means having a first set of fingers for moving work fromone end of said work holder to the central position thereof; a second set ofv fingers for moving work from said central position to the other side thereof; and a third set of fingers for moving work from the last-named position off of said work holder.

2. In a broaching machine, the combination with a ram movable relative to'a broaching means, of a work holder carried by the ram, fixed guide rails carried by the ram and located on opposite sides of the work holder upon which work may be conveyed into and out of the work holder, movable guide rails interposed between the ends of said fixed guide rails and movable perpendicular to the plane thereof for lowering a work piece into the work holder, and trip means operable upon movement of the ram for causing said movable rails to be lowered.

3. In a broaching machine having a movable support and'power operable means for moving said support relative to a broaching means, of a work holder carried by said support includin work supporting means movable from a first position in which it receives a work piece to a second position in which the work is to be clamped, a plurality of means for clamping the work, and trip means operable upon power movement of said movable support to cause actuation of said work clamping means.

4. In a broaching machine having a support movable relative to a broaching means, the combination of a one revolution mechanism carried by the movable support for moving work thereon into a machining position, power operable means for moving the support, and an electrically operable mechanism for automatically stopping said one revolution mechanism and initiating movement of said support by said power operable means.

5. In a broaching machine having a support movable relative to a broaching means, the combination of a one revolution mechanism carried by the movable support for moving work thereon into a machining position, power operable means for moving the support, and electrically operable mechanism for automatically stopping said one revolution mechanism and initiating movement of said support by said power operable means, said mechanism also including telltale switches effective to stop movement of the support if the work is not properly positioned in the work holder.

6. In a broaching machine having opposed broaches and a support movable between said broaches, the combination of a work holder located on said support in alignment with said broaches, a power operable mechanism carried by the support for moving work therealong into said work holder, power operable means for moving said support, an electrical control mechanism including a manually operable switch for initiating an automatic cycle including sequential actuation of said mechanism and said power operable means, and an additional control for interrupting said cycle and causing reverse actuation of said mechanism.

'7. In a broaching machine having a ram movable relative to a broaching means, the combination of a hydraulic control circuit for said ram including a pilot valve shiftable to a position for starting movement of the ram, a work holder carried by the ram, power operable mechanism associated with the work holder for transferring work to the holder, and means operable by the mechanism upon completion of movement of the work into said holder for causing shifting of said pilot valve to a starting position.

8. In a broaching machine having a ram movable relative to a broaching means, the combination of a hydraulic control circuit for said ram, including a pilot valve shiftable to a position for starting movement of the ram, a work holder carried by the ram, power operable mechanism associated with the work holder for transferring work into the holder, means operable by the mechanism upon completion of movement of the work into said holder for causing shifting of said pilot valve to a starting position, and means operable by the ram for shifting said pilot valve to a stop position, thereby terminating movement of the ram.

9. In a broaching machine having broaching tools, and a ram for moving work relative to said tools, the combination of power operable means for moving the rams including a stop mechanism,

a work holder carried bythe ram, power operable means associated with said work holder for automatically removing work therefrom, and means trip operable by the moving ram for actuating said stop mechanism and initiating operation of said transferring mechanism.

10. In a 'broaching machine having a ram movable in one direction relative to a breaching means on the cutting stroke and in the opposite direction of a non-cutting stroke, the combination of a work transfer mechanism carried by said ram for moving work at the end of a cutting stroke into a position on said ram out of alignment with said broaches whereby the ram may be returned to a starting position without interference, power operable means for actuating said transfer mechanism, means operable by said mechanism for initiating return movement of the ram, and an interlock responsive to work position to interrupt said return movement if the work is not properly removed out of alignment with said broaches.

11. In a broaching machine having a. broaching tool supported in a vertical place, a hydraulically movable ram for moving a work piece past said breaching tool upon an upward cutting stroke and a downward non-cutting stroke, a control valve having a first position for causing upward movement of the ram, a second position for causing downward movement of the ram, and a third position for stopping said ram; and

a deceleration valve operable by the ram for interconnecting both ends ofthe cylinder when said first-named valve is shifted to a stop position for retarding movement of the ram.

12. In a broaching machine having a vertical column, a broaching tool mounted on said column, and a work carrying elevator for feeding work past said broaching means, of a V-shaped trough located beneath said broaching means and said elevator for receiving falling chips, one leg of said trough being secured to said column, a roller curtain supported on the underside of said elevator, the end of said curtain being attached to the other leg of said trough whereby during upward movement of the elevator falling chips will be directed to said trough, and suction means for withdrawing chips from the bottom of said trough.

13. In a machine tool having a work carrying member movable relative to a metal working tool, of a work transferring mechanism carried by said member for moving work therealong into alignment with the tool, a prime mover for said mechanism, a power operable member for traversing the work carrying member, a manually operable control for starting said prime mover, means operable by said mechanism for stopping said prime mover and energizing said poweroperable member, and means responsive to movement of said work carrying member for clamping the work as it approaches the metal cutting tool. 1

14. In a machine tool having a work carrying member movable relative to a metal working tool, of a work transferring mechanism carried by said member for moving work into alignment with the tool, a prime mover for said, work transferring mechanism, a power operable membar for actuating the work holding member, a manually operable control for starting said prime mover, means operable by said transferring mechanism for stopping said prime mover and energizing said power operable member, means responsive to movement of said work carrying member for clamping the work as it approaches able between said broaches, power operable means carried by the elevator for moving work onto said elevator in alignment with said broaches, power operable means for moving said elevator and the work carried thereby past said broaches, and means trip operable by the elevator after passing said'broaches'to cause said first-named means to move the work out of alignment with said broaches whereby the elevator may be returned without interference between the work and broaches.

16. In a breaching machine, a pair of broaching tools arranged in vertical planes and in opposed relation to one another, an elevator movable between said broaches, power operable means carried by the elevator for moving work in alignment with said broaches, power operable means for moving said elevator and the work carried thereby past said broaches, means trip operable by the elevator after passing said broaches to cause said first-named means .to move the work out of alignment with said broaches whereby the elevator may be returned without interference between the work and broaches, and means responsive to outboard-positioning of the work to automatically cause downward movement of said elevator.

17. In a breaching machine having a pair of broaches supported in vertical planes and in pposed operating relation, of a work support movable between said broaches for causing a work piece carried thereby to be machined to a predetermined length, automatically operable means effective at the end of the stroke for moving the work piece along a path at right angles to the direction of said cutting stroke, means responsive to work removal for causing return movement or said work support at a rapid rate, and trip operable means efiective near the end of said return stroke for rapidly decelerating the work support and bringing the same to a stop.

18. In a broaching machine having a pair of vertically positioned broaches arranged in opposition to one another, and a work holder vertically reciprocable between said broaches, of a first means carried by the work holder for transferring work from an outside source into a position in alignment with said broaches, and a second means carried by the work holder for transferring the machined work to a third position out of alignment with said broaches at the completion of a breaching movement of the holder whereby the work holder may be returned to a starting position without interference between the work and broaches, and a third power oper able means carried by said work holder for ejecting the finished work from the machine.

19. In a machine tool having a metal working tool and a work support, the combination with power operable means for effecting relative movement between the work support and tool, of power operable means carried by the work holder for transferring work therealong out of alignment with said metal working tool after the machining operation, means responsive to removal of the work for reversing said power operable means, and an interlock effective to prevent actuation of said power operable means if the work has not been completely removed.

, 20. In a breaching machine having a pair of vertical columns, breaching tools supported on the opposing faces of said columns, a work holder movable between said columns for feeding work past said breaching tools, a receiving conveyor removing work from between said columns at the end of a feeding stroke, means ferreversely shifting the work with respect to the breaches, and additional power operable means for ejecting work to said delivery conveyor upon completion of said reverse movement.

21. In a breaching machine having a pair of columns, opposed faces formed on said columns making an acute angle with a desired cutting plane, breaching tool assembly blocks having a series of breaching tools mounted in each block and adapted to be arranged in parallel relation to said cutting plane, said blocks having a supporting wall, the plane of which makes an acute angle to the plane of said breaching tools equal to the first-named acute angle whereby upon assembly of the blocks with said acute angle surfaces on the columns the breaching tools will be aligned parallel to said desired cutting plane.

22. In a breaching machine having a pair of columns, opposed faces formed on said columns making an acute angle with a desired cutting plane, breaching tool assembly blocks having a series of broachingteols mounted in each block and adapted to be arranged in parallel relation to said cutting plane, said blocks having a supporting wall, the plane of which makes an acute angle to the plane of said broaching teols equal to the first-named acute angle whereby upon assembly of the blocks with said acute angle surfaces on the columns the breaching tools will be aligned parallel to said desired cutting plane, and means to determine the lateral position of said blocks on the acute angle surfaces of the column and thereby determine the depth of cut to be taken by said breaching tools.

23. In a breaching machine having a pair of vertioalcolumns, depressions formed in the opposing faces of said columns, said depressions having parallel side walls and an enclosing wall making an acute angle with one of said side walls, a plurality oi blocks, each having a series of breaching tools mounted therein for mounting in said depressions, said blocks having a supporting wall making an acute angle with the plane of said breaching tools, adjustable means carried by said blocks and engageable with said parallel side walls of the depressions for laterally positioning the blocks therein, and means to clamp the blocks in said depressions.

24. In a breaching machine having a pair of surface breaches supported in opposite relation to one another, the combination with a work holder movable between said breaches for finishing of a work piece carried thereby to precision length, means for shifting the work holder to effect a breaching operation, unidirectienaliy effective work transferringmeans carried by and movable with and relative to the work holder for moving the work from one side of said breaches into breaching position with respect to the work holder and for ejecting work from the work holder at the opposite side of said breaches, and means for imparting successive unidirectionally effective movements to said work transferring means.

MILLARD ROMAINE. WIN'I'HROP TRIBLE. 

